Tips to pass the IELTS Speaking test

The speaking examination of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. This is a face-to-face, one-on-one interview with an examiner. The exam is recorded.

The exam, a requirement for migration to an English-speaking country, has three parts. In Part 1, candidates will be asked questions about themselves (e.g. Describe yourself) or about familiar things, such as their family (Describe a person close to your family), work (Can you tell me something about your work?), studies (What is your favorite subject?) or interests (Describe a recent book you have read). This usually takes four to five minutes.

In Part 2, the examinee is given a card with a main question and some bullet points on what they need to cover in answering the question (e.g. Describe a party you recently attended). An examinee will be given one minute to compose an answer and can make notes. After one minute, he or she will be asked a question and will be given two minutes to answer. The examiner may ask one or two more questions related to the main question.

In Part 3, candidates will be asked questions related to the questions in Part 2 (e.g. Do you think it is important to celebrate special occasions with your loved ones?) These questions will be geared towards abstract issues or ideas. This part lasts between four to five minutes.

Compared to the listening and writing portions, the speaking test is one of the most anxiety-provoking parts of the IELTS exam. This could be due to the fact that many Filipinos are afraid of face-to-face encounters with foreigners, especially if they are outside a social context. Most candidates feel intimidated when speaking with a foreigner or a Filipino examiner in English. Remember the speaking exam is about assessing your English-speaking skills. It is nothing personal. You will be speaking to a professional so you have to be professional as well. It is not about using big words and a fake accent that you think will impress the examiner.

Here are some tips:

Be positive

Never argue with the examiner. Always be positive. Try not to say anything that will be offensive to a particular race, gender, person with a different sexual orientation or persons with disabilities. It is best that you speak without any burden of trying to win an argument. Try to speak candidly and do not stop unless told to do so.

Read out loud

To prepare for the speaking exam a candidate can get a newspaper and read the text out loud in front of the mirror.

Prepare some answers

You should prepare a short list of answers for questions related to personal information. This saves you the trouble of thinking of an answer during the exam itself.

Get a buddy

You can also get a buddy or partner whom you can practice your English conversational skills with for at least 30 minutes a day (you can ask a call center agent to do this with you or you can do this with some of your friends overseas through Skype).

Dress for success

It is highly recommended that you wear business attire during the examination. This has a positive effect on your psyche and will reflect on your attitude and performance. While it is not mandatory to get “dressed up,” do it anyway.

Answer in English

If you are asked about your favorite food, try not to answer using the Filipino term, for example, “siomai.” (The proper term is “dumpling”). Also, give an answer that is not too complicated.

How to get your children take their medicine

As a parent, you know that making your children take their medicine can pose quite a challenge. That’s because most of the time, children find their medicines to be bad-tasting, so they will do practically anything to avoid having to take them.

Don’t give up. Knowing this fact already brings you one step closer to finding out how you can make them take their medicine instead of forcing or fighting with them. Here are some things that can help you:

Talk to your kids. Explain to them why they need to take their medicine. Be firm yet patient in telling them that taking their medicine is an important step to making them better. Some mothers use the airplanes and spaceships trick in putting the spoon or dropper into their kids’ mouth. While this is fun and cute, it is not strongly recommended as children may begin to associate medicines with playing games.

Choose good-tasting medicines. Toddlers and older children shun food that do not taste good. The same principle applies to medication. Yummy-flavored medicines are a lot easier to take than those that taste bitter or have flavors that are too strong. When it comes to cough medications, it’s a good thing there’s ASCOF Lagundi Syrup. Made from 100% Lagundi leaves, it comes in delicious flavors such as strawberry, ponkan and menthol. And because it is natural, you can be sure that it is safe to give to children.

Give medicines that are easy to take. Some medicines are difficult for kids to swallow. As much as possible, choose something that is in syrup form so it’s easy for children to take. Because it is available in syrup format, ASCOF Lagundi Syrup is convenient toadminister. Just put the recommended amount of ASCOF syrup in a spoon or dropper, or use the dosage cup that comes free with every bottle.

Stick to the schedule. Skipping your child’s medicine intake schedule may give them the impression that they no longer need to take their medication. Sticking to the schedule will avoid confusion and will also help your children be more prepared in taking their medicine.

Do not mix medicine with food. This tactic used by some parents in giving medication is not encouraged, because your child may not be able to take the entire intended dosage if he/she does not finish his/her food. Not only that, your child may begin to refuse any food given in the future, thinking that it may contain medicine.

Always have a positive attitude. Smile and be cheerful when administering medicine, so that your child will see the activity as something pleasant.

Say something like "It’s time for your medicine" in a happy voice, to reassure your child and give him/her the impression that there is nothing to worry about. With these tips and further advice from your pediatrician, you can make your children take their medicine without the drama, and ensure that they recover from their illness much faster.

How to be with your pet without unleashing allergies

Allergies no longer have to prevent pet ownership. By taking a few simple precautionary steps, it is possible to comfortably live with both pets and allergies. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Shut the door. Keep cats or dogs from your bedroom—and not just when you are sleeping. If you keep the door closed, it will prevent cat or dog hair from drifting in during the day. This also applies to a guest room if you happen to be hosting a guest with allergies.

• Keep pets off the furniture. You can do this by placing a plastic cover on the furniture or by placing pieces of aluminum foil on areas where pets settle. They find the noise disturbing. Or you can try orange peel; cats dislike the smell.

• Ditch the carpets. Pet hair tends to stick to carpets, especially soft, shaggy carpet. Try area rugs on tile or wood floors. They are convenient because they are portable and usually machine washable.

• Bathe pets. Use an allergen-reducing shampoo. Clean dogs at least twice a week.

• Clean the air. Remove irritants with an air cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

• Vacuum and dust frequently. Use a vacuum designed especially for pet owners. These include features such as an odor-absorbing filter and powerful suction for pet hair, while still capturing and retaining the dust and dirt that can trigger allergies and asthma.

The recently introduced Cat & Dog vacuum, by the creators of the first HEPA-certified vacuum cleaner, is built with a sealed system designed to prevent dirt, dust and allergens from escaping back into the air. Floor care innovator Miele engineered the upright model specifically for cat and dog owners to deliver the powerful suction and airflow necessary to remove stubborn pet hair. Plus, it’s so quiet it won’t disturb your pet’s mid-afternoon nap!

The vacuum’s versatile brush roller automatically adjusts when transitioning from hardwood to high-pile carpet. This feature ensures proper airflow to remove pet hair in one pass. SwivelNeck technology allows the entire brush roller to limbo under chairs and tables and to dance around lamps and other objects, including pets.

Modify your Home Exterior

Most families are reorganizing closets and making trips to Goodwill, they are neglecting the part of their home that guests see first—its exterior. And after this year’s harsh, long winter, the outside of your home probably needs more than a little T.L.C. Moisture can create the perfect conditions for the growth of mold and mildew. Dirt, grime and salt residue can also be damaging if left unchecked. But fortunately, there are products available that can make the outside of your home look brand new.

Make Your Home’s Siding Shine

After getting hit with record-breaking snowfalls this winter, the exterior of most homes took a beating. Now that it’s getting warmer, it’s the perfect time to freshen up your home’s siding—and you don’t need to hire a professional or rent a power washer to make your home look like new. Try a cleaner like Jomax House Cleaner and Mildew Killer. It is guaranteed to kill mold and mildew and remove tough stains and stubborn dirt without scrubbing or power washing. Plus, it’s safe for use around plants and shrubs. Or for quick and easy routine cleaning, try Jomax House Wash. Just hook it up to a garden hose, spray, wait 5−10 minutes for dirt and stains to loosen, and rinse off—it’s really that easy!

Put Life Back Into Your Driveway

A cracked, weathered driveway doesn’t do much for a home’s curb appeal, and it’s often the first thing that guests see when they visit your home. Unfortunately, driveway resealing is a project that many homeowners neglect due to the mess and time it requires. But resealing a driveway doesn’t have to be a time-consuming and messy project. Thanks to breakthrough technology, homeowners can rejuvenate their driveways in one easy step with EPOXYSHIELD Blacktop Coating. Unlike other blacktop sealers that must be applied with a squeegee, EPOXYSHIELD Blacktop Coating can be rolled onto the surface just like paint. It’s drive ready in just four hours, leaving a jet-black finish, and it lasts longer than traditional driveway sealers.

Don’t Forget Your Walkways

It’s easy to revive worn sidewalks, porches and entryways without spending a small fortune on replacing them. Select a product like EPOXYSHIELD Concrete Resurfacer. It comes in a kit complete with all the tools you need to renew and restore aged, patched and cracked concrete surfaces. The best part is it can be rolled on, eliminating the mess of replacement or traditional application.